Is deflation before explantation a good option?

I have performed this on occasion for a varietuy of reasons including patients who are undecided about implant removal and/or replacement with weight gain or if they were uncertain about the implant volume and its role in the size of the currentl breast or have any concerns about their postoperative apperance. Generally speaking you will see nice contraction within two weeks. I think this sounds like a great plan!

Good day! Generally after explantation, the shape and size of the breast will be unpredictable. Result varies between patients and it will largely depend upon their age, duration and size of the implant, or previous state of their breasts like existing anatomy, deformity, previous surgeries, underlying personal and family medical conditions, nicotine use, pregnancy and other factors. Deflation prior to explantation gives the skin and muscles ample time to adjust before a major change. There are options available such as a lift or a fat transfer, if you are worried about the explantation result. Do not hesitate to contact your surgeon about options designed for your needs and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

In some specific cases, it does make sense to pop the implants and deflate them.  Of course, they need to be saline.  The benefit of doing this is that it will help you decide whether to simply have the implants removed because you will know what you will look like after a simple removal, which can subsequently be doe under local anesthesia.

Deflating the implants is commonly done to assist with implant removal and prevent longer incisions from being used.  The FDA has found no increased risk with leakage from silicone and saline implants.

If you wish to have the implants removed and have the best shape and contour of your breasts after, i recommend explantation with a lift at the same time.  In properly selected patients,  this is safe and effective.  Deflation first, is not necessary and would not add anything to the final result.  There should be no concern about leaking of the saline from the implants.  This saline is the same that is in IV fluid and your body will simply absorb it.

I don't see the point of deflating the implants without removing them. Even if you chose no to do a lift, in some cases the remaining breast tissue can be re-approximated to optimize the result, Ask your surgeon the logic behind the plan. If most of the surgeon you saw are recommending a lift, there might be a reson. Without photos it is impossible to give you better advice.

Good luck

Thank you for your question.

It sounds like this surgeon wants to allow the skin to contract back prior to surgery... which, although unusual, is one of the many options available for surgeons.

Hope this helps.

There are two reasons why you would deflate an implant before removing them. 1) Deflating the implant and allowing the skin to gradually tighten may limit the amount of skin excision needed and 2) If there was significant asymmetry then deflation will allow more accurate preoperative markings and surgical planning.

In most cases however, if the ultimate goal is to remove the implants, then it really isn't necessary to deflate the implants beforehand. Also, there is no harm in saline leaking into your body after the deflation. 

Hope that helps and good luck!

Dr. Babak Dadvand 

I have heard this before for saline implants, and I suppose it is a good idea if there was alot of asymmetry.  Otherwise I do not think it is necessary. 

If you desire explantation without replacement, then deflating the implants to see how the breast will look after explantation. This will gove an idea but not the real look. Because you still have the deflated implant and the capsule.If you plan to have the implant replaced, you will pay for the new set of implants.

if the reason of deflation is to see if you need a lift, then it may give you an idea.

Remember that deflation means putting a needle to deflate the implants and you will have a small risk of infection.

Decide what you ultimately want then decide, who to do the surgery and what type of surgery you will be happy with.